Benin Republic team at their victory over Morocco
By Admin -July 6, 2019
South Africa completed another upset in the Round of Sixteen at the Africa Cup of Nations when they eliminated hosts Egypt 1-0 at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday night.
Bafana Bafana claimed the deserved victory thanks to a late strike from winger Thembinkosi Lorch, having put in an outstanding performance against the highly-rated Pharaohs.
Stuart Baxter’s side advance to face old foes Nigeria in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Egypt started the match strongly and threatened through the likes of Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan. Yet the best efforts on goal in the opening quarter came from South Africa’s Percy Tau.
Midway through the first half the Pharaohs created their first clear chance, with a counter attack gifting Hassan a sight of goal with only Ronwen Williams to beat, but he directed his low shot straight at the Bafana Bafana ‘keeper.
South Africa continued to try their hand at shooting on goal, with Thembinkosi Lorch and Kamohelo Mokotjo both firing shots just wide of El Shenawy’s right-hand post, but the first half ended with the teams locked at 0-0.
Egypt had the first clear chance of the second stanza and again it was ‘Trezeguet’ who squandered a great opportunity: Mohamed Salah’s defence-splitting pass picked out the Pharaohs’ number seven, but he hit his shot straight at Williams in the 57th minute.
Bafana Bafana put together a fine passing move on 73 minutes to put Lorch in on goal, but he too was guilty shooing straight at the goalkeeper, allowing El Shenawy to make a comfortable low save.
The match looked set for extra time, but on 85 minutes South Africa struck on a quick counter attack: Lebo Mothiba beautifully played in Lorch, who this time showed great composure to slide a shot beyond the ‘keeper and provide the decisive moment.
Also, Benin Republic produced a major surprise to beat Morocco 4-1 on penalties and book a quarter-final spot at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.
Mama Seibou hit the winning penalty to send 10-man Benin through after Khaled Adenon had been sent off in extra time.
In an incident-packed tie in Cairo, Moise Adilehou put Benin ahead before Youssef En-Nesyri equalized.
Morocco had a chance to win it with the last kick of normal time but Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech’s penalty struck a post.
Benin scored all their penalties in the shootout through Olivier Verdon, David Djigla and Tidjani Anaane before Seibou’s effort sparked wild celebrations on and off the pitch inside the Al Salam Stadium.
In what is only their fourth appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, Benin will face the winners of Friday’s late last-16 tie between Uganda and Senegal in the quarter-finals on 10 July.
Morocco had progressed from the group stage with three wins and without conceding a goal.
Despite peppering Benin’s goal with 22 shots during the 120 minutes, they lacked cutting edge and are now on their way home from a tournament they were expected to do well in.
Benin, who advanced to the last-16 as one of the best four third-placed teams in the group stage, played the final 23 minutes of extra time with 10 men when Adenon was sent off for a second bookable offence.
En-Nesyri and Ziyech both forced saves from keeper Saturnin Allagbe before Benin took the lead through Adilehou’s close-range volley following a corner.
Morocco were gifted their equaliser, an horrendous mistake by Jordan Adeoti allowing Mbark Boussoufa to set up En-Nesyri to fire under Allagbe.
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